Source: Kazakh Television first channel, Astana, in Kazakh 0445 gmt 20 Jan 99 BBC Mon CAN CAsia wa/aed <<>>

Kazakh president's speech at his inauguration ceremony

Re-elected Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev swore his oath of office at the inauguration ceremony for his new term held in Congress Hall in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on Wednesday 20th January.

In a ceremony broadcast live on Kazakh TV, the chairwoman of the Central Electoral Commission, Zagipa Baliyeva, presented him with the certificate of office of the Kazakh president. Speaking first in Kazakh, then in Russian, Nazarbayev said that the day of the presidential election would go down in history as "the day Kazakhstan started along the road of democratization".

"We are committed to the principles of building a democratic society with a market economy. We will continue the reforms that were started. Our foreign and national policy will not change. But one thing is beyond doubt. For the first time millions of people in Kazakhstan chose their president from several candidates. No-one put pressure on them. They were guided by their own conscience and common sense," the newly-elected president said.

He also said that "the unity of the people of Kazakhstan regardless of nationality, religion or colour turned from a political slogan into a political reality. Fortunately, all the speculation about the division of Kazakhs and Russians, Turkic people and Slavs, Muslims and Christians, into opposing camps during the election campaign remained just speculation. To me this is a sign of the future, a sign of a peaceful and calm life for our peoples in the next century" .

Nazarbayev said that "two seemingly simple" tasks lay ahead of him: to achieve prosperity and to develop democracy. "People must see the fruits of the reforms on their table and in their pocket despite the enormous difficulties that suddenly befell not only Kazakhstan but the entire world as a result of the world economic crisis," Nazarbayev said.

"There is time when one throws stones about, and there is time when one gathers them. There is time when reforms are carried out. And there is time when one reaps the fruits of reforms. In the next seven years the people must see the fruits of the reforms on their table and in their pocket. This is what we must try to ensure despite the enormous difficulties that suddenly befell not only Kazakhstan but the entire world as a result of the world economic crisis. The second task is to develop democracy in the country. We will be holding elections to the parliament this year under a new law on elections. All the parties and national groups may take part in this battle. With a new millennium just 49 weeks away, there is no alternative to freedom. I have just sworn an oath as the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. I swore to uphold our constitution and laws, our national honour and dignity. And I will never violate this oath. By deriving power from our glorious past we will enter the new century in firm treads," the Kazakh president said.

Source: Kazakh Television first channel, Astana, in Kazakh 0445 gmt 20 Jan 99 BBC Mon CAN CAsia wa/aed <<>>

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